Support for Women's Shelters and Food Banks

December 6, 2011, 2:15 PM EST

CAW President Ken Lewenza outlined the terrible toll poverty takes on communities across the country with one in 10 Canadians living in poverty, according to the latest Campaign 2000 report.

He stressed the importance of fighting for good jobs. Campaign 2000 stated that part of the reason for high poverty levels is the dramatic decline in good paying jobs which are being replaced increasingly by poor quality, insecure and low paid work.

"You should recognize that when you lose good paying jobs and bring in part-time, precarious work, low paid jobs, you're increasing the level of poverty," Lewenza said. Lewenza thanked delegates and CAW local unions for supporting social justice causes throughout their communities including women's shelters and food banks.

Delegates unanimously endorsed the annual $100,000 donation shared by the CAW Council and the Social Justice Fund that provides support for women's shelters across Canada.

In addition, they also endorsed the $135,000 donation, shared by CAW Council and the SJF, to provide badly needed support for 46 food banks across Canada.

A recent study of food banks in Canada shows that as of October 2011, 850,000 Canadians now rely on food banks, which is the second highest month on record.

Lewenza said this is worrisome especially since Canada is two years removed from the "economic recession."